Congratulations, Grinnellian

Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) - Whether you’re interested in launching your career, serving your community, or pursuing post-graduate study, the Center for Careers, Life, and Service can guide you — both while you’re here on campus and in the years beyond. As an incoming first-year or transfer student, you are assigned an exploratory adviser from the advising and exploration team. You will be able to join career communities, and take advantage of the numerous opportunities for internship funding, externships, and more. Check out our students’ post-graduate outcomes. 

Athletics — If you are recruited to compete on one of our 20 varsity teams, you’ll be supported by experienced coaches. And if you’re not at the varsity level and decide to go out for club or intramural sports, you can still use our state-of-the-art athletic facilities.

Clubs and Organizations — With 100+ student groups ranging from Queer People of Color to the Busy Beekeepers and intramural sports, you’ll never be bored at Grinnell. All organizations are free of charge and open to all. Check out a sample of student organizations.

Service and Social Justice — On campus and after graduation, Grinnellians are known for their commitment to social responsibility. Welcome to a community of innovators and change-makers who never stop fighting for what’s right. Check out what service and volunteering opportunities you can participate in. 

Speakers — From Scholars’ Convocation to TEDxGrinnell, Grinnell hosts a wide range of visiting scholars, activists, and artists on campus. Speakers have included Opal Tometi, co-founder of Black Lives Matter; Alison Bechdel, feminist cartoonist and graphic memoirist; Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s; and Kumail Nanjiani ’01, comedian, writer, and actor.

Concerts @ Grinnell — Being right off of I-80 provides easy access to a lot of concerts heading through the state. Grinnell has hosted Japanese Breakfast, Lizzo, Mitski, Riff Raff, and more. All concerts are free!

Arts @ Grinnell — The Grinnell College Museum of Art (GCMoA) features temporary exhibitions and provides a variety of creative outreach programs — including lectures, readings, concerts, performances, even yoga. A permanent collection of more than 6,000 objects offer diverse classroom and research learning opportunities.

Conard Environmental Research Area (CERA) — Located 11 miles from the Grinnell College campus, CERA is a 365-acre field station used for quiet enjoyment, student and faculty research, and class field trips in all subjects — from biology to studio art.

Writers@Grinnell, the English department’s reading series, brings a diverse array of accomplished authors to campus each semester. Grinnell has hosted roundtables, workshops, and readings by Junot Diaz, Natasha Tretheway, Yusuf Komunyakaa, and Roxane Gay, to name a few.

Theatre and Dance — Grinnell’s theatre and dance scene offers something for everyone. From mainstage ensemble shows to one-act performances, public productions, and student-directed work, over 500 students get involved with the theatre and dance department at Grinnell each year. Explore this year’s productions. (Featured: Soft Lights for Sleepless Nights, directed by Craig Quintero).